The Hazel Green herald. [volume] (Hazel Green, Wolfe County, Ky.) 1885-19??, 1887-11-18
MRS. SMITHS WAY.
Why She Thought She Gould
Never be a Missionary.
A Wise Little Woman's Sorrow for Her
Neighbors Who Were Daily Killing
Themselves, and who Would
Not Heed Her Counsels. -

Not Heed Her COunselS. -
One evening when Mr.. Smith came
home from work he found his wife
sitting alone in their coy parlor
that always presented the same neat
and tasteful appearance; some work
had fallen idly in her lap while her
chin rested on@her hand and she had
become so absorbed in thought that
she heard not the opening of tho door
when he entered.
"And what has put my Brownie in
to such brown study that she has
neither eyes nor ears for things of time
and senseP' inquired Mr. Smith, after
standing in the doorway for about two
minutes Watching his wife.
80, Ned" exclaimed Mrs. Smith,
starting up from her rcverie. 81 never
could be \ missionary, never"
"Well, l am glad to hear you say
So" said Mr.. Ned Smith, seating
himself beside his wife while broad
smile shone over his countcnancc:
II would be sorry to have you
leave me here alone. ] assure YOU.
and have no intention, myself. of go
ing TO some distant cline 10 work
among the heathen."
Ned, you may laugh ut me if you
will; YOU know l didn't think OF heath
on in foreign lands at all; but do feel
sorry for the people about Us who are
daily killing themselves
dear mel" calculated Mr.. Smith,
"who is committing suicide move"
Our neighbor Mrs. wilkins, and
many others beside" soberly respond
ed Mrs. Smith.
"Now you speak in riddles" said her
husband. II do not fathom the depth
Of your meaning"
alt is only this, Ned; l am Saddcnod
at the thought of people working and
worrying over triflcs."
why, Brownie, do you not think
tribes make perfection? and pcrfcc-
ton is no tritie."
"Ncd, I wish you would be serious
for once and listen to what say"
Mr. Smith drew on a long face and
said: Nov am all serious attention
with Il mind wholly yours.
"A man should have n mind of his
own was the saucy rctort
The mischicvous expression came
again to Mr.. Smiths eyes as he replied:
My mind is yours and you arc mine;
therefore my mind is my own. Now,
Brownie, l am going to be sober as a
Judge and listen most obedicntly while
you relate the cause of your sudden at
tack of profound meditation.
"Wcll. this afternoon. began Mrs.
Smith, 81 was out calling on our
neighborS, and went, first. across the
street to Mrs. wilkins, and found that
parsonage lying down completely cH-
hauStcd from overwOrk. She does all
her own work, and with their large
family that is no light task at the best.
She is by nature strong woman, en-
crgctic aud Industrious, priding herself
on how much work she can do in n |
day. That, you know, is different
from mo. for l try to accomplish n
Soou ucal Dy COlnS just rs Httle us
can"
IL understand just what sinsibly !
lazy wife I have" said Mr.. Smith, with !
his face long drawn.
Brownie continued. 81 had conccit |
enough to think myself able TO instruct
Pfor in the way of doing, and to con-
Eince her of the truth that whoever
might be better employed is idle. Yes
Ierday sho put large washing out on
he iine and when ! went over to-day |
fhe Ind just flashed ironing a great
Plle OF clothes. and was lying down
POM sheer exhaustion
And what wgs extraordinary In /
hAtP' asked Mr. Smith. I'll have seen !